The Director General of Arewa Summit International, Dr. Bashir Lamido, has described the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a beautiful bride, saying there was urgent need for the Southeast geopolitical zone to rally round the former Abia state governor to emerge as the 10th Senate President to enable them mainstream into national politics.
Lamido stated this at the group review stakeholders meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday.
He said there was the need for Ndigbo to support Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who has demonstrated humanitarian gestures and displayed human face as a detribalised Nigerian to emerge as the next Senate President.
He noted that Kalu is the only politician from the southeast geopolitical that is acceptable to other zones, hence the need to support him succeed Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Lamido appealed to other senators from the Southeast to support Kalu to enable the zone clinch the number three position, saying: “Umahi, Izunaso including those backing them should understand that other zones are also interested in emerging as the next Senate President. So, if you have someone like Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who is nationally accepted in the race, the best thing to do is for the zone to rally round him like the Southwest did to Tinubu during the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
According to Lamido, Kalu has proven that he is a detribalised Nigerian who is just and always ready to defend the oppressed.
“Kalu’s commitment to peace, unity, progress and stability should be emulated by well-meaning Nigerians. His sense of patriotism, courage, sagacity and national appeal is a testament to the fact that he is an elder statesman.
“Kalu is truly a detribalised Nigerian and a powerful political leader with high leadership qualities. The Southeast is strongly in the race for Senate Presidency because of people like Kalu. It is important they come together so that it won’t elude them. I have a personal love for Kalu because he stands on his conviction, he supported Tinubu and the APC openly even when it was a taboo to do so in the southeast.
“The Igbo people will get what they are looking for easily if Igbo follow him. He has proven to be there for the people at a time they needed him most. He should be commended by every well-meaning Nigerian for standing firm on the principles of equity, justice, and fairness. He is a national figure who cannot be traded for unknown people.”
